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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S4W-12712

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 22 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports (a) college and (b) university students wanting to study abroad for (i) short-term periods, (ii) an academic year and (iii) complete degree periods.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting both college and university students wanting to study abroad for varying lengths of time. Funding is given to a number of programmes to support such outward mobility activity, including:

The 3 week long Study China and Study India programmes.

The Erasmus Programme through which students can study for between 3 months and an academic year in another European country.

The 8-12 week long technical work placements abroad available through the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) programme.

The Outward Mobility Fund through which 11 projects in 10 institutions received funding in 2012-13 for a range of mobility periods.

In 2014-15 the Scottish Government will launch a pilot project offering funding for up to 250 Scottish domiciled students undertaking their undergraduate degree in the European Union. Eligible students will be entitled to financial support towards their living costs and a student loan. This will be the first time Scottish-domiciled students studying in Europe will be entitled to the same living cost support as students attending university in Scotland.

Question reference: S4W-12715

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 22 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what benefits it considers studying abroad brings to (a) students, (b) school pupils, (c) academic institutions and (d) the economy.

Studying abroad can open up opportunities for any young person, whatever stage of life and education they are at, including the chance to learn another language, experience different cultures, traditions and develop broader perspectives. Study abroad experiences can therefore help students and school pupils become more tolerant, understanding and responsible global citizens - enhancing their skills and ultimately making them more employable.

Furthermore, it supports the international collaboration work undertaken by academic institutions and helps the sector remains internationally competitive and truly excellent in world terms, creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth.

Question reference: S4O-01808

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 20 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its international development plan.

Work is underway to develop proposals for international development with independence. That will of course inform the White Paper on Independence to be published later this year.

I would encourage others to take this opportunity to consider how Scotland’s values can be expressed through our international development work and through the nature of our relationships with partner countries.

For the existing International Development Fund, funding rounds are currently open for projects in Malawi and South Asia, with announcements of successful projects expected in March and April of this year.

Question reference: S4T-00250

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 February 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what implications the agreement on the EU financial framework for 2014 to 2020 has for the allocation of structural funds in Scotland.

Question reference: S4W-11815

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 16 January 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria Home Energy Scotland uses to categorise storage heaters as a form of central heating under the Energy Assistance Package.

The term "electric storage heater" is defined in the Home Energy Assistance Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (as in force) and includes:

a free-standing storage heater;
an electric fan-assisted storage warm air system;
an electric wired underfloor heating system, set in a solid floor or floors; or
an electric ceiling heating system.

The regulations also require that, to constitute a central heating system for the purposes of the Energy Assistance Package, there need to be a series of electric storage heaters controlled from one central point providing warmth to two or more rooms in the dwelling. So, for example, a single storage heater would not constitute a central heating system.

Question reference: S4O-01578

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 December 2012

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in Lanarkshire to reduce crime.

Question reference: S4O-01516

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it takes to raise awareness of household dangers to young children.

Question reference: S4O-01470

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 November 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 14 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet NHS Lanarkshire and what will be discussed.

Question reference: S4O-01439

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government what the average timescale is in which a European Arrest Warrant issued in Scotland results in an arrest.

Question reference: S4F-00945

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 29 October 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 November 2012

To ask the First Minister what the economic benefits for Scotland are of replacing Trident.